Face2News/Malda, West Bengal, 

he Learned Additional District & Sessions Judge, 2nd (POCSO Court), Malda, West Bengal, on Friday, i.e. \sentenced the accused Rafikul Islam @ Bhelu, to life Imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 50,000/- for committing rape on a minor girl below 12 years of age. 

The case pertaining to the rape of a minor girl aged around 9 years was registered by CBI, by taking over the investigation of FIR Number 201 of 2021 dated 05.06.2021 of PS Manickchak, Distt. Malda in compliance to the orders dated 19.08.2021 of the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court entrusting the investigation of Post-Poll Violence(PPV) Cases to the CBI.

Investigation conducted had revealed that the victim minor girl aged around 09 years was raped by accused Rafikul Islam @ Bhelu (Retired School teacher of a Govt. School in Malda) in the evening of 04.06.2021 while she was playing in the mango orchard of the accused by alluring her with money. The incident of rape was witnessed by the cousin ofthe victim who is also a minor girl aged around 10 years. Both the victim and the eye witness deposed strongly about the incident of rape before the trial Court. On 02.07.2025, the Court had pronounced the judgement convicting the accused Rafikul Islam. 

The Court has further directed that the State of West Bengal shall provide Rs.3 lakhs to the victim from ‘Victim Compensation Fund’. 

This is the first Post-Poll Violence case which has ended in conviction and the accused has been awarded life imprisonment.